Ironbridge set to welcome Olympic Flame

Thousands of Telford school children and members of the public are set to welcome the Olympic Flame into the borough on May 30 – when the torch is carried across the world famous Iron Bridge.

The picture of the torch crossing the bridge and with the bridge in the background is expected to become one of the defining images of the Olympic Torch Relay ahead of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Communities in south Telford are busy preparing for the big day when the torch comes to the borough and Telford & Wrekin Council has joined forces with the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust to organise a host of activities to mark the occasion.

Approximately 1,600 school children are expected to throng The Wharfage when the torch arrives at the Iron Bridge at 3.14pm.

It will be greeted by a peal of bells from St Luke's Church and a performance by the Abraham Darby Academy Band, which will be situated at the entrance to the bridge.

The Phoenix School Steel Band and school dance group will also be entertaining crowds further along The Wharfage.

The torch will then be carried to the media area by the side of The Wharfage for photographs to be taken of the torch bearer with the Iron Bridge in the background.

The bridge will be decorated with specially-made Olympic banners and there will be a flotilla of cruisers, river boats and coracles on the River Severn to add to the sense of occasion.

There will be a number of other events taking place along The Wharfage and Ironbridge's tantalising array of shops, pubs and restaurants will be open to serve the gathered crowds.

Most car parks in The Gorge will be closed for operational reasons and members of the public are strongly advised to use the new Park and Ride facility at Jiggers Bank, which will transport people down to The Gorge and back.

People are therefore advised to arrive as early as possible to avoid delays.

The Jiggers Bank Park and Ride is opening specially for the day ahead of becoming fully operational for the first time on June 2.

The following Ironbridge roads will be closed for the celebration:

The entire length of Dale End from 10am-4pm

The entire length of Dale Road from 10am-4pm

The entire length of Wellington Road from 10am-4pm

The entire length of High Street from 10am-4pm

The entire length of Tontine Hill, from 10am-4pm

The Wharfage between its junction with the High Street and a point just past The Wharfage car park from 10am-4pm

The following Ironbridge roads will be closed to the public but will have resident access only from 10am-4pm:

The entire length of Belmont Road

The entire length of Hodgebower

The entire length of St Luke's Road

The entire length of Church Hill

The entire length of Lincoln Hill

The entire length of Paradise

Council leader Kuldip Sahota said: "I am very proud that the London 2012 Torch Relay is coming to Telford and it is fitting that it will enter the borough by crossing Telford's most iconic landmark - the historic Iron Bridge.

"It should be a fantastic day out as well as something that is a real chance for people to have their own Olympic experience. The visit of the torch promises to become a treasured memory for everyone who sees it."

More details on the London 2012 Torch Relay and its route through Newport are at www.telford.gov.uk/london2012torch

Residents can also keep up to date with torch relay in the borough on Twitter by using #telfordtorch